Nana Maria Teresa, Spiritual Elder of the Maya Mam Nation, Guatemala

Nana Teresa Lopez (Nana Teresa) is a Maya Spiritual elder (Ajq’ij) of the Maya Mam Nation and medicine woman. She has been a human rights defender and leader of the Maya people and advocate for the protection of Mother Earth her entire life. She has worked extensively with Indigenous women and youth, particularly with survivors of the war and genocide, through traditional healing and ceremony. She lives in Iximulew (Guatemala) and is former K'amalb'e of the Regional Council of Ancestral Maya Authorities of Guatemala; former member of the leadership council of the Maya Mam Council of Quetzaltenango; member of Aj Q´ij, Oxlajuj B´e of 8 municipalities of the Mam people in the department of Quetzaltenango, Guatemala; member of the Council of Elders of the Americas; and Founder and current Board Member of the International Mayan League.